2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA · 4,532 MOT tests
2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA reliability
2021 Mercedes-Benz CLAs fail 9.6% of first MOT tests, 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 9 CLA years (4,532 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz CLAs: 17.7%)
- 9.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Mercedes-Benz CLAs: 17.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 26% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 3
- 31,204
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 3
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,532
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2021 against the years either side
- 2020 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2021 car does better)
- Weak spot: tyres, 5.6% of tests fail here (18% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: brakes, 51% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2021 car carries a 70 plate (January–February 2021), or a 21 plate (March–August 2021), or a 71 plate (September–December 2021).
Common problems
What fails on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.8%
- Lights and electrics1.5%
- Brakes1.1%
- Number plates and VIN0.3%
- Suspension0.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.63%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.24%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.73%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Headlamp aim set too low 0.6%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Headlamp aim set too high 0.46%
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.44%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (6.44%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (4.13%) · Brake pads wearing thin (3.82%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (1.37%) · Brake discs showing some wear (1.28%) · Nail in tyre, monitor (1.21%)
Other years
Every Mercedes-Benz CLA year
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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA reliable?
2021 Mercedes-Benz CLAs fail 9.6% of first MOT tests, 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 9 CLA years (4,532 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA MOT?
Most often tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.63% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.24% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (0.73% of tests).
How many miles should a 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA have done?
At its MOT aged about 3, a typical 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA shows 31,204 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2021 car?
A car first registered in 2021 carries a 70 plate (January–February 2021), or a 21 plate (March–August 2021), or a 71 plate (September–December 2021).
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